Multi-compartment wallet

ABSTRACT

A multi-compartment wallet comprises an aligned stack of rectangular sheets of flexible materials joined along one edge to form a plurality of compartments for receiving thin objects such as coupons, cards, and the like. The compartments so formed are held closed by a locking means which includes a plurality of serially ordered tabs on the sheets. Each of the tabs includes a slot and a hook shaped projection for insertion into the slot of an adjacent tab.

United States Patent Lookatch MULTI-COMPARTMENT WALLET [76] Inventor: Gordon D. Lookatch, 6200 N.

Sunny Point Rd., Glendale, Wis. 53217 [22] Filed: June 7, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 367,772

[52] US. Cl 150/39, 229/69, 281/18 [51] Int. Cl. A45c 11/18 [58] Field of Search 150/39, 30, 38; 229/68, 229/69, 72; 206/29; 281/18, 38

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 951,814 3/1910 Hay 150/39 X 1,281,614 10/1918 McBreen l l 229/84 1,438,152 12/1922 Weinacht 229/69 1,749,020 3/1930 Curry 150/38 2,456,830 12/1948 I-Ierbener 150/30 X FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 60,617 2/1948 Netherlands ..229/69 377,880 7/1907 France 281/18 Primary ExaminerI-Ierbert F. Ross Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Andrus, Sceales, Starke & Sawall [57] ABSTRACT A multi-compartment wallet comprises an aligned stack of rectangular sheets of flexible materials joined along one edge to form a plurality of compartments for receiving thin objects such as coupons, cards, and the like. The compartments so formed are held closed by a locking means which includes a plurality of serially ordered tabs on the sheets. Each of the tabs ineludes a slot and a hook shaped projection for insertion into the slot of an adjacent tab.

9 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures 1 MULTl-COMPARTMENT WALLET BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to the pocket books of the card or ticket holding type.

2. Background and Summary of the Invention Many situations arise in which it is desirable to both collect and arrange a plurality of cards or ticket-like objects in an ordered fashion. Such objects may include cents-off newspaper coupons or similar promotional items directed toward the shopper. These items are collected throughout the week in preparation for shopping and it is desirable to arrange them by grocery category or supermarket location to reduce the time needed to locate the promotional merchandise.

Other instances which involve collecting and arranging items include credit card receipts which are organized by categories for tax or other accounting purposes or the credit cards themselves.

It is, therefore, the object of the present invention to provide a multi-compartment wallet which provides a convenient means for storing, arranging, and transporting such items. The wallet includes a locking means to assist in retaining the categorized items in the compartments. The locking means is constructed and arranged so as to permit the compartments of the wallet to be intentionally opened with ease at a desired location while at the same time preventing unintentional or inadvertent opening of the compartments and loss of their contents.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the multicompartment wallet of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a detailed scale view of one of the locking means employed in the wallet of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Wallet It) consists of a plurality of sheets 12 of plastic or plastic coated fabric. Sheets 12 are typically rectangular and formed of a material which is stiff yet flexible. Polyethylene or polystyrene sheets having a thickness of to 15 mils, preferably the latter, have been found to be suitable for use as sheets 12. The sheets are joined along one of the longer edges. While such joinder may be affected by sewing, or the like, they may conveniently be joined by channel 14 which embraces the sheets.

A locking means comprised of a plurality of interlocking tabs I6 is provided along the other longer edges of sheets I2. Assuming sheets 12 are formed of a material having the desired stiffness and flexibility properties, tab 16 may be integrally formed with the sheets. In the alternative, tabs 16, formed of the appropriate material, may be fastened to sheets 12 which may then be formed of a different material. One tab 16 is fastened to the top edge of each of sheets 12 in a serial arrangement.

The details of tab 16 are shown in FIG. 2. Slot 18 is located near one edge of tab 16. While a simple slot may be provided, it has been found desirable to provide holes 20 at either end of slot 18, as shown in FIG. 2, to avoid accidental tearing of tab 16 and to facilitate insertion of projection 22 extending from the other edge of an adjacent tab 16.

Projection 22 includes a central portion which is disposed downward in a generally circular arc. The width of central portion 2d is slightly less than the length of slot 118-20 and the part of portion 22 which is contiguous with tab 16 is offset upwardly of the slot. More specifically, a linear extension of arcuate center line of portion 24 at the base of the portion intersects slot 18 slightly above its center. The downward curve of center portion 24 is sufficient to place the end of the arcuate center line in the lower portion of slot 18.

The outer end of central portion 24 contains upper lobe 26 and lower lobe 28. Upper lobe 26 includes fairing portions 30 and 32. In the center of lobe 26 lies portion 34. Portion 34 may be either linear or curved on a much larger radius than fairing portions 30' and 32 so as to provide an edge which is generally flat. Flat portion 34 may occupy approximately one third of the arcuate length of lobe 26.

Lobe 28 may comprise a continuation of the curved end of central portion 24. The radial width of projection 22 in the flat portion 34 is approximately equal to the length of slot 18-20.

To close one of the compartments of wallet 10, sheets 12 forming the compartments are separated at their upper edges. Projection 22 on sheet 12 forming the rear of the compartment is bent toward slot 18 on the sheet 12 forming the front of the compartment. The projection is inserted in the slot by bringing the two sheets together.

Once projection 22 is inserted in slot 18, it will be found that the sheets 12 of the compartment cannot be separated by pressure exerted on the sheets from the contents of the compartment, thereby preventing inadvertent opening of the compartment. This is due to the fact that such forces tend to bow the sheet 12 containing slot ML-moving the slot downward with respect to projection 22 and preventing removal of projection 22 due to interference with lobes 26 and 28.

However, the compartment may be intentionally opened by grasping the tab 16 containing slot 18 and drawing the tab over projection 22. The tab tends to pivot about lower lobe 27 as the tab is bent and projection 22 is deflected by slot ll8 facilitating the lifting of tab 16 from projection 22.

Appropriate category headings may be applied to sheets 12 as an aid in indicating the contents of the var ious compartments of wallet 10. .Additional rows of compartments may be added to wallet 10. For example, an additional set of six compartments may be added back to back with those shown in FIG. 1. One edge of channel 14 may be curled as at 36 to provide a place for placing coupons and the like, in preparation for presentation to the cashier during check out and payment for the groceries.

Various modes of carrying out the invention are contemplated as being within the scope of the following claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which is regarded as the invention.

I claim:

1. A multi-compartment wallet comprising a plurality of aligned, abutting rectangular sheets of flexible materials, said sheets being joined along one of the longer edges to form a plurality of compartments for receiving thin objects; and a plurality of adjacent interlocking tabs, one such tab being mounted on the other longer edge of each of said sheets in a serial arrangement, said tabs having a slot along one edge thereof and a projection along an opposing edge for insertion in the slot of an adjacent tab, said projection being arcuately downwardly disposed to locate the end of the projection in alignment with the lower portions of the slot, said projection having an upper lobe and a lower lobe on the outer end thereof having a radial width approximating the length of said slot, said serial arrangement being such that substantially only the projection of each tab overlies a portion of the adjacent tab.

2. The wallet according to claim 1 wherein said projection has a central portion which is arcuately downwardly disposed and on which said lobes are mounted, the width of said central portion being slightly less than the length of said slot.

3. The wallet according to claim 1 wherein the part of the central portion of said projection contiguous with said tab is displaced upwardly from a position of alignment with said slot.

4. The wallet according to claim 1 wherein said upper lobe has a generally flat portion in the center thereof.

5. The wallet according to claim 4 wherein said upper lobe has fairing portions on either side of said flat portion and said generally flat portion occupies about onethird of the arcuate length of the upper lobe.

6. The wallet according to claim 1 wherein said slots I nel has a pair of parallel sides for receiving said sheets,

one of said sides being curled at the upper edge for receiving the thin objects. 

1. A multi-compartment wallet comprising a plurality of aligned, abutting rectangular sheets of flexible materials, said sheets being joined along one of the longer edges to form a plurality of compartments for receiving thin objects; and a plurality of adjacent interlocking tabs, one such tab being mounted on the other longer edge of each of said sheets in a serial arrangement, said tabs having a slot along one edge thereof and a projection along an opposing edge for insertion in the slot of an adjacent tab, said projection being arcuately downwardly disposed to locate the end of the projection in alignment with the lower portions of the slot, said projection having an upper lobe and a lower lobe on the outer end thereof having a radial width approximating the length of said slot, said serial arrangement being such that substantialLy only the projection of each tab overlies a portion of the adjacent tab.
 2. The wallet according to claim 1 wherein said projection has a central portion which is arcuately downwardly disposed and on which said lobes are mounted, the width of said central portion being slightly less than the length of said slot.
 3. The wallet according to claim 1 wherein the part of the central portion of said projection contiguous with said tab is displaced upwardly from a position of alignment with said slot.
 4. The wallet according to claim 1 wherein said upper lobe has a generally flat portion in the center thereof.
 5. The wallet according to claim 4 wherein said upper lobe has fairing portions on either side of said flat portion and said generally flat portion occupies about one-third of the arcuate length of the upper lobe.
 6. The wallet according to claim 1 wherein said slots terminate in holes.
 7. The wallet according to claim 1 wherein said tabs are integrally formed with said flexible sheets.
 8. The wallet according to claim 1 wherein said sheets are joined along one edge by an embracing channel.
 9. The wallet according to claim 1 wherein said channel has a pair of parallel sides for receiving said sheets, one of said sides being curled at the upper edge for receiving the thin objects. 